The whale-watching season may have started a little later than usual but there are more whales than usual this year, says Bridget James of the Mossel Bay Cetacean Project.
The project – under the University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute and the locally based Oceans Research – has been monitoring the presence of whales and dolphins in the Bay at least five days a week since January 2010. At least 37 different dolphin and whale species can be identified in the Southern Cape region.

So far, large pods of Southern Right whales have been spotted in mating groups and also mothers with their calves. The whales are often spotted very close to shore.

Mossel Bay’s landscape makes whale spotting easier than in other places, because whales and dolphins can be spotted from almost any of the elevated points.  And for those who want to get closer and watch from the sea, there are boat trips available.
Winter accommodation specials are currently on offer and can be found on the Mossel Bay website.

The whale watching season generally runs from July until November.